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Flatfeet in Boynton Beach and Boca Raton

If you have a normal, fully-developed foot arch, you will have a notable upward curve in the middle of your foot. As your arches fully develop, the tendons and ligaments in the foot and lower leg work to help provide support and stabilize your foot. However, when your arch is underdeveloped or collapsed, this means you have flatfeet, or fallen arches. In most cases of patients in Boynton Beach or Boca Raton with flatfeet, it is hereditary and present from birth. In other cases, though, flatfeet can develop after an injury or overuse.

Flatfeet is a common and usually painless condition in children, though it can cause some aching pain in adolescents and adults. For adults, pain may occur during or after physical activity and there may be some dull pain after long periods of rest. The cause of fallen arch is simple: the tendons and ligaments that support the arch weaken and collapse due to too much stress or overuse.

Signs and Symptoms of Flatfeet in Boca Raton, FL and Boynton Beach, FL

Children whose arches do not develop aren’t always affected by flatfeet. However, some cases of flatfeet can cause problems in other areas of the body, such as throwing joints out of alignment.

While many adults do not exhibit any outward signs or symptoms that indicate flatfeet in Boca Raton or Boynton Beach, some people may feel some arch pain. More often than not, flatfeet cause noticeable fatigue in the arches, heels, knees, or lower back. Other common symptoms of flatfeet include:

Feet that ache

Swollen feet

Difficulty moving the foot

Back or leg pain

Are you experiencing any of these symptoms? If you are, it is important to contact our podiatrists in Boynton Beach or Boca Raton for further diagnosis and treatment planning.

Testing for Flatfeet in Boca Raton and Boynton Beach

To find out if you have flatfeet, there is a simple test you can do on your own. With a concrete surface and some water, you can begin! Start by getting your feet wet, then stand normally on a flat surface. Then, step away from the imprints and evaluate the step marks. People with normal arches will see an imprint with the inside curve of the foot missing. People with flatfeet will see the entire imprint of the bottom of the foot.

Boynton Beach and Boca Raton Flatfeet Treatment

Treating flatfeet depends on the severity and cause of the problem. It’s important to have flatfeet examined by our Boynton Beach, FL or Boca Raton, FL podiatrists at Family Foot Center because it can lead to more serious problems like heel spurs, ankle or knee pain, or arthritis.

When flatfeet cause severe pain or begin contributing to other conditions, your doctor may suggest one or more of the following treatments:

Orthotic devices

Stretching exercises

Supportive shoes

Physical therapy

When pain or foot damage becomes severe, our foot doctors in Boynton Beach or Boca Raton may recommend surgery. Contact our podiatrists at Family Foot Center today for more information or to set up a consultation.